Introduction to Video Poker
Although Slots Geek is primarily a Slots guide, we also like to provide our visitors with information regarding related casino games like Video Slots, Progressive Slots, and Video Poker. It’s important to know the ins and outs of the game you’re playing if you hope to make any money. This article will give you an introduction to video poker, and by the time we’re done you’ll be ready to hit the video poker machines.
How to Play Video Poker
Video poker is certainly one of the easiest games to play in the casino. To get started at a video poker machine, you either insert your players’ card if you’re at a live casino, or click the virtual chips you wish to insert if you’re at an online casino. Then, you need to select how many “coins” you’ll bet per hand (you can choose between one and five coins).
This is very important. We recommend always betting five coins because there is an additional bonus for players who make royal flushes while betting five coins. Make sure to remember that coins are just a multiplication against your bet/hand. If you’re playing a $0.25 video poker machine, a five coin bet will actually be like betting $1.25 per hand. Of course, the payouts increase appropriately to reflect the number of coins you’re betting.
To start the hand click “Deal.” You’ll receive five face-up cards. Now you need to select which cards you’d like to keep by clicking “Hold” under each card you wish to keep. After you’ve selected the cards you wish to hold, click “Draw” to receive your new cards. If your final hand qualifies for a payout on the pay table you’ll win!
Most video poker games start a new hand at this point, but some “bonus” games give players a chance to double their winnings. If you’d like to take your chances to double your money, you’ll be presented with one face up card and four face down cards. You have to pick one of the four face-down cards. If the card you pick is higher than the original face up card, you’ve doubled your bet. If it’s lower, you’ve lost the original winnings. If you win you can continue doubling up until you take the money or lose.
Video Poker Pay Tables
When you’re deciding what video poker game to play, it’s important to check out the pay tables for that game. Most casinos use “full pay” pay tables, which means that the machine is using the best possible pay table for that variation. However, “full pay” does not mean the player is at an advantage. Rather, it means that the player is at the smallest disadvantage possible.
Unfortunately, some casinos choose to use “low pay” pay tables. These tables make small cuts in one or two payouts which significantly increase the house edge. We always recommend finding full pay games. If you’d like to learn more about full pay vs. low pay, read about video poker at VideoPokerBaller.com.
Video Poker Strategy
With slot machines there is a limited amount of strategy you can use for the game. Its a game of chance in it's purest form. Video Poker (although another game of chance) has a few strategies which vary according to the game you're playing. Although video poker strategy is a topic of its own, we’ll give you a few tips now:
- In a normal Jacks or Better game, you should always keep high cards when you have garbage. You’re better off trying to pair a Jack, Queen, King, or Ace than to take five new cards.
- Progressive video poker machines are usually a rip off. However, once the jackpot reaches a large enough sum, the game can actually become positive expectation.
- Always draw to the royal flush. Four to a royal is statistically worth far more than a made straight or even a made flush. Forget about the safe payout and go for the big jackpot.
- Make sure to use your players’ card. Most casinos provide rewards for playing consistently, and by getting free meals or hotel rooms you increase your expected return even more.
That’s it for now. You should now be able to play video poker confidently and properly. Good luck!
Article was submitted to Slotsgeek.com by VideoPokerBaller.com
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